How to Evaluate and Purchase Quality Home Exercise Equipment

By IDEA Fitness

If you are reading this, it is probably no coincidence you are thinking about buying home exercise equipment. We at IDEA think that's great
news, because encouraging people around the world to get and stay
active is what we do. Great news, too, since study after study proves
what we've known since we were kids: moving around is good for us,
mind, body, and soul.

But we've also known someone (maybe even you?) who has brought
exercise equipment home, only to have it end up gathering dust in the
garage or doubling as a laundry hanger. Maybe you did not see the
results it promised. On the other hand, perhaps you just did not enjoy
the activity you performed on it. Whatever the reason, that is too bad,
since fitness equipment not used equals health benefits not realized.

We want to make sure this time, you take home equipment you will
enjoy using . . . and use regularly. So, we've taken everything we've
learned about home exercise equipment during our 15 years as the
association for fitness professionals worldwide, and distilled it into this
informational
guide.

Better Equipment and More Choices than Ever
The good news is, today's home exercise equipment is better constructed
and more effective, and offers you more options than ever before. With
choice, however, can come confusion . . . especially since equipment now
comes in so many shapes, sizes and types, and is often marketed through
glossy direct mail packages and sophisticated infomercials. Prices can
range from $50 to $5,000 and up.

How can you possibly sort out all this information? Our panel of top
international fitness experts offers you these tips on how to evaluate and
choose quality exercise equipment.

STEP ONE - Determine Your Goals
Are you trying to lose weight? Do you want to get stronger or both?
Knowing your goals in advance will help you make sure the equipment
you buy will set you up for success, not disappointment. Determining
your goal will narrow your search to far fewer options.

STEP TWO - Don't Forget About You
What activities do you enjoy most? Which don't you like? If you avoid
taking stairs at all costs, you probably will not like working out on a
stairclimber/stepper decreasing the chances you will use it regularly.
If you love to take brisk walks, a treadmill or an elliptical exercise machine will give you a similar
experience any time of day or night, in any type of weather. The more
you enjoy the activity your equipment provides, the more often you will
use it.

STEP THREE - Set Your Budget
How much do you have to spend? If you love that fancy, programmable
$2,500 stairclimber at the gym, the $199 blue light special will probably
prove a huge disappointment but a basic, quality $600-800 model might
work great. A good strategy is to spend most of your budget on one solid
aerobic training piece, say a high-quality treadmill, then build around it
with inexpensive strength training equipment such as tubing and dumbbells.

STEP FOUR - Try It before You Buy It
All our experts concurred on this point. An infomercial or brochure may
make a product sound great, but nothing takes the place of a personal,
hands-on "test drive." Wear appropriate clothing and shoes and use
the equipment precisely as you will at home. Evaluate how the well the
equipment is constructed; how well it functions; and if the motions or
exercises you perform feel natural and comfortable. Keep in mind that a
store specializing in fitness equipment will probably offer better advice
and service than a department store. Even if you do not buy from a
specialty retailer, it is an excellent place to start.

STEP FIVE - Decide on Features and Functions
From televised displays to digital readouts, much of today's equipment
incorporates an amazing amount of high technology. However, these
"bells and whistles" often come at a price. Ask yourself if timers, heart
rate monitors, calories-burned displays and the like will motivate you.
If so, and you can afford them, great. If not, rest assured that a basic,
good-quality piece will provide just as effective a workout. And you can
often duplicate many features by using kitchen timers, keeping an
exercise log with handwritten entries, even learning how to take your
own pulse.

Other considerations include a reading rack, ease of adjusting variables
such as tension, resistance and seat height, water bottle holders, and
whether it folds up.

STEP SIX - Ask Questions!
Ask about warranties, return policies, satisfaction guarantees, frequency
and cost of repairs. In most cases, a reputable dealer will let you to try
out your new equipment at home for a specified time period, say, 30
days, and allow you to return it for a full refund or merchandise credit.
The dealer should take care of pick-up, delivery and set-up.

Also, be sure to talk to the dealer about repairs and maintenance, they
should have a trained technician on staff or on a consultant basis
to handle repairs and maintenance. Most product warranties cover
manufacturing defects and labor charges for at least one year. You won't
enjoy the same service when buying direct by TV, direct mail or Internet!

STEP SEVEN - Using And Storing Your New Equipment
Many people anxiously await delivery of their new stationary bicycle or
home gym only to find it does not fit in the space they had planned to
put it! Measure the actual footprint of your new equipment, and consider
ventilation, electrical outlets, and noise problems for neighbors even
storage. Plus, consider placing a rubber mat under the equipment to
reduce noise and absorb sweat and grease.

STEP EIGHT - Talk To A Pro Who Knows
Our experts also strongly recommended consulting a qualified fitness
professional in your area, such as an IDEA Member group exercise
instructor or personal fitness trainer, for guidance. Plus, many
specialized equipment dealers now offer a complimentary personal
training session with your purchase, call various stores in your area to
see if any offer such a program, or can recommend a certified personal
fitness trainer nearby.